University of Connecticut Athletics
Nelson Earns MAAC Defensive Player of the Year
3/14/2001 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
STORRS, CT -- Freshman Eric Nelson (Big Lake, MN) of the University of Connecticut men’s ice hockey team was named the 2000-01 Chase Manhattan Bank MAAC Defensive Player of the Year by the vote of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference’s eleven coaches on Wednesday evening. Nelson was also named to the 2000-01 ITECH MAAC All-Rookie, while teammate Michael Goldkind (Silver Spring, MD) was named to the ITECH All-MAAC Second Team.
Nelson was an offensive threat from the Husky blueline this season. He topped all Connecticut defensemen and freshmen in points, and is tied for third among defensemen in conference scoring with 20 points (11-9—20). Nelson also led all defensemen in the MAAC with 11 goals. He ended the season with 11 goals and 10 assists and had a team leading five power play goals.
Goldkind, a senior, ended the season with 10 goals and 23 assists for a team leading 33 points. He had a seven-game and five-game point scoring streak during the season, recorded nine-multiple point games and recorded four power play goals and two game-winners.
Goldkind was also named to the New York Lottery All- Academic Team along with fellow Husky teammates Mike Boylan (Doylestown, PA), Kurt Kamienski (Pittsfield, MA) and Travis Wood (Seattle, WA).
Connecticut finished the season after falling to Canisius College in a quarterfinal game of the 2001 Easton/MAAC Championship. The Huskies had an overall record of 12-19-4 and 12-12-3 record in conference play.
Nathan Lutz of Iona was named the Chase Manhattan Bank Defensive Player of the Year, Ryan Manitowich of Iona was named the Chase Manhattan Bank Offensive Player of the Year, and Peter Aubry of Mercyhurst was named the Chase Manhattan Bank Goalie of the Year. Named to the ITECH All-MAAC First Team was Manitowich and Lutz along with Chris Cerrella (Quinnipiac), Eric Ellis (Mercyhurst), Aaron Arnett (AIC) and Peter Aubry (Mercyhurst). Joining Goldkind on the second team was Louis Goulet (Mercyhurst), Tom McMonagle (Mercyhurst), Jody Robinson (Mercyhurst), Steve Tobio (Bentley) and Eddy Ferhi (Sacred Heart). Adam Tackaberry of Mercyhurst was named the Chase Manhattan Bank Rookie Offensive Player of the Year and was named to the All-Rookie team along with Nelson. Joining them was Guillaume Caron (AIC), Trent Ulmer (AIC), Greg Kealey (Holy Cross), R.J. Irving (Holy Cross) and Justin Eddy (Quinnipiac).
